Ringling College of Art & Design is a private, independent, not-for-profit, four-year college of the visual arts and design located in Sarasota, Florida. It was founded in 1931 by John Ringling, well-known circus impresario and noted art collector and real estate developer. Overcoming a tumultuous start, the Ringling School of Art and Design continued to grow and experienced unprecedented growth in the 1980s as it moved towards a fully accredited four-year degree-granting institution under the able leadership of Dr. Arland “Chris” Christ-Janer.
On April 14, 2007, the Ringling School of Art and Design was renamed Ringling College of Art and Design in an effort to clearly indicate the school’s evolving global scope as a degree-granting institution.
Today, the college confers Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees with majors in 14 disciplines that include Advertising Design, Business of Art & Design, Computer Animation, Digital Filmmaking, Fine Arts, Game Art & Design, Graphic & Interactive Communication, Illustration, Interior Design, Motion Design, Painting, Photography & Digital Imaging, Printmaking and Sculpture.
Over 1,230 students are enrolled at the college mentored by 150 faculty members who are all practicing artists, designers, and scholars.
Cost of attendance for academic year 2009-2010 for fulltime students is US$42,383 broken down into full-year tuition and fees cost of US$30,350; typical room and board rate of US$11,300; and health insurance of US$733. Estimated cost for art supplies and books for freshman students is US$2,625. Those taking up photography and digital imaging are encouraged to set aside the amount of US$2,000 to US$4,000 for equipment. Financial aid in the form of loans, grants and scholarships is extended by the college to help its students pay for their cost of attendance.